House Minority Leader John Boehner Monday called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to make the proposed committee ratios more equitable.

Boehner (R-Ohio) contended in a letter to Pelosi (D-Calif.), that the Democrat to Republican majority on the panels will deprive "tens and millions of Americans" representation on committees, which serve as the chopping block for legislation.

The Speaker's office hasn't released the full committee ratios for the 111th Congress yet. But, Boehner had a copy of the ratios in early December, according to a Democratic aide who noted that the minority gained an additional seat on Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as on the Financial Services Committee.

Boehner acknowledged that point but insists that the ratios must be revised in order to avoid one-party rule.

"The American people are not well served by a process that minimizes bipartisan participation for the purpose of advancing a partisan agenda, and in restoring more equitable committee ratios, the better all of us – Democrats and Republicans alike – can serve the American people and improve the quality of the legislation affecting their lives and freedom," he wrote.

Under the Pelosi's plan, most of the panels follow the same ratio as the full House, which is 60 percent Democrats to 40 percent Republicans, explained a Democratic leadership aide. Several of the committees however, are weighed more heavily to the majority, including such powerhouse panels as Appropriations, Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.

Read Boehner's full letter after the jump.

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

I am writing today on behalf of the tens of millions of Americans represented by Republicans in the House of Representatives to repeat my objections to the committee ratios established by the Democratic majority for the 111th Congress.

On the opening day of this Congress, after receiving the Speaker’s gavel, you advised our chamber, “Let us listen to each other. Let us respect every voice and view. And then together, let us act. As we in Congress pledge to reach across the aisle, we recognize that history will measure this decisive moment not just by what we do here in Washington – but by how we reflect and respect how all Americans work together for the common good to strengthen America’s future and faith in itself.”

It is in the spirit of these words that I must again express my deep concern that the current arrangement dictated by the majority fails to ensure all Americans are represented in the committee process. As you know, committees are the heart and soul of the House, where some of the most important legislative decisions are made. In order to guarantee that the diverse views of the American people are respected and heard in our institution, equitable committee ratios are essential.

Prior to the start of this Congress, I objected to the plan for committee ratios being developed by the majority, on the grounds that it would deprive millions of Americans of a voice in the process of writing legislation at a time when bipartisan collaboration is essential. In response to my objections, you modified your original plan slightly, giving the minority two additional seats – one on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and one on the Financial Services Committee.

After going through the Steering Committee process, it has become clear that without more comprehensive changes by the majority, millions of Americans will be left without representation in committees responsible for writing critical legislation that will affect the lives of every citizen. This is unacceptable, particularly in light of the harmful changes to House rules imposed by the majority on the opening day of this session, which reversed reforms that were put in place more than a decade ago to ensure more open debate.

Madame Speaker, the dangers of one-party rule in Congress have been well documented over the past century, and as we confront historic challenges at home and abroad, at no time is it more important for vigorous debate and honest representation in the People’s House than right now. The American people are not well served by a process that minimizes bipartisan participation for the purpose of advancing a partisan agenda, and in restoring more equitable committee ratios, the better all of us – Democrats and Republicans alike – can serve the American people and improve the quality of the legislation affecting their lives and freedom. I appreciate your prompt attention to this request on behalf of tens of millions of Americans and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

John Boehner (R-OH)
House Republican Leader

-Molly Hooper